In vitro evaluation of an epoxy resin's cytocompatibility using cell lines and human differentiated cells

The cytocompatibility of a polyepoxy resin (Elf Aquitaine) has been studied using both cell lines and human differentiated cell cultures. The human models were gingival fibroblasts and bone osteoblasts, while the cell lines were Hela cells and 3T3 Balb/c cells. Basal cytocompatibility was assessed by estimation of the cell proliferation, total cell protein content, cell membrane sub-lysis, and cell attachment and spreading. Specific cytocompatibility concerning human osteoblasts, from both alveolar and trabecular bone, was determined by measuring the intracellular alkaline phosphatase activity. Resin colonization by the cells was studied by both TEM and SEM. The behaviour of the two cell lines reveals a significant level of discrepancy, whereas the behaviour of human cells, whatever the model, is comparable; however, osteoblasts look more sensitive. Moreover, the results show that this epoxy resin exhibits a moderate cytocompatibility which could be the result of the cytotoxicity of early released products, associated with the considerable surface roughness.